POLB91_LECTURE 1_Outline.doc

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School

University of Toronto Scarborough

Department

Political Science

Course

POLB91H3

Professor

R Rice

Semester

Winter

Description

LECTURE 1:
Domestic Power Structures and Development
I. Course Intro.
II. State Power
III. Markets, Democracy and Development
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I. Course Introduction
[see syllabus under “Syllabus” on web page]
II. State Power
A major determinant of development strategies and outcomes is the character of the state,
and the domestic power structures and political coalitions underpinning it.
Types of State Power:
1. Despotic Power: the power to control and suppress  South
2. Infrastructural Power: the power to administer and transform  North
Roots of Despotic Power
 Legacy of the use of force to suppress and squash rebellion
 Weak country side with weak out reach. Very little state presence and colonial
presence. Mostly run by local bosses
o Eg. South America, Africa, S. Asia
 1. State borders and institutions artificially imposed by colonial rulers
o Pull resources out  legacy of colonial rule was extractive and not
developmental
 2. Strong despotic power and coercive power but weak infrastructure or
transformational power
 3. Purpose and point of colonial rule was extractive
 4. Characteristic of the colonial state were entrenched by ruling elites after
independence to protext their interest
 Pockets of development but not completely development
o Eg. Chile – Santiago is a world class city until you walk out of the city
centre
III. Markets, Democracy and Development
Amy’s point: Ethnic conflict – due to ethnic minorities who hold power.
 Her aunt was a elite Chinese minority in Philippines was killed by Pilipino
chauffer as revenge killing according to the police
 Shift of free market and democracy is on a collision course
Mainstream View: there is a natural affinity between free markets and free politics. Free
markets and democracy are the key to development.